wanderingzito.com

Exactly 31 days ago, I challenged myself to see what difference I could make by giving away 10$ every day for one full month. I wanted to see if pocket change could really make any actual change in the universe and help with the cause fatigue I’ve been battling. For the total monthly investment of $310 I was surprised how much I learned. Here’s three lessons I’ve taking away. At a $100 a piece, I think they’re a bargain- especially knowing that the real return on my dollars is the difference they are making in 31 different projects we supported this month.

1. We get from giving.

Giving is supposed to be about the recipient. We all learned that as kids, and I certainly won’t debate this truth. But I also won’t deny that we get when we give. Giving makes you feel good. Even when you can only give a little, giving gives you the feeling that you are contributing to the greater world. It was nice to remember that feeling of giving. I was also surprised by some other things I got from sharing this giving experience with so many others. I gained new knowledge about organizations and issues, I remembered the good feeling that I part of something important, and I even made some new friends in the process.

2. Mathematics proves it adds up.

When I give 10 and you give 10, together we are giving 20. I’m no mathematician like my sister, but it’s pretty simple arithmetic. Sure, I realize that an organization can’t build a well in a village with no access to clean water with my 10$ alone. Yet mathematical facts prove that if I give and you give and you tell your friends and they give and tell their friends to give, we are trading simple addition for exponential multiplication. Giving 10$ vs. 10$ to the tenth power aren’t comparable. Alone we contribute to making a difference, but together we can get things done.

3. Giving is contagious.

I couldn’t help but notice an how my giving 10$ engaged and excited others. On my very first day of giving I asked for ideas on twitter, facebook and my blog. Within the first hours I had more ideas of worthy projects to give to than I had planned days to give. What was even more amazing is the emails I got from people who became inspired to give by this project. Just like I was introduced to new issues and organizations outside of my world, sharing the 10$ difference produced a ripple effect. Giving is powerful, and kind of like poison ivy. It is contagious and once you catch it, it’s hard to ignore the itch.

The bonus 10$ lesson is that giving can also be addictive. Even though March has passed, I feel like I’ve just gotten started making my 10$ difference everyday. I’ve decided that I’m going to keep giving. And since giving is contagious, I’m hoping some of you may have been inspired to pitch in your own change, here’s three ways you can join me in continuing the 10$ difference.

1. Give your own $10 every day.

Make your own difference this month. Take the next 31 days and give 10$ each day to organizations and projects YOU believe can make change. Don’t forget to share with us where you are giving in case we want to join

2. Match my $10.

I’ll keep posting on facebook and twitter @wanderingzito where I’m giving my 10$ everyday with a link to give. When you see a project you like, match my 10 or multiply it. Remember, making a difference is simple math.

3. Give more ideas.

I’ll continue to rely on readers to introduce me to more amazing organizations and people making a difference. What projects do you believe are making change? Ideas are an important contribution. (If you’ve already given an idea, but we haven’t donated there yet, don’t worry, it’s on my list!)

Thanks for being a part. If you’re wondering where we’ve invested $10 to make a difference in our first 31 days, here’s the official March $10 difference roster with links to learn more. More details on the difference that each of these 31 projects is making and why we chose them coming soon. Until then, where will you make a difference today?

1.World Vision

2. International Justice Mission

3. Hagar International

4. Love Drop

5. Girl Effect

6. In Search of Sanuk

7. Heal Africa

8. World Pulse

9. CureJM

10. Arbor Day

11. American Red Cross

12. Welbodi Clinic Sierra Leone